Power mower



June 11, 1940.

A. F. MOYER POWER MOWER Filed Jan. 6, 1938 4 Shets-Sheet 1 [mam/or AwosEMonse 3 flag M21 Ar Torus-Kr A. F. MOYER 2,204,254

POIER IOIBR Filed Jan. 6. 1938 4 SheetsAS'heet 2 [me-n20, EMOYEE June 11, 1940.

June 11, 1940. A. F. MOYER 2,204,254

' POWER MOWER Filed Jan. 6, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 [ml/ant er AMos EMOYEE Arron/vars Patenteclfiune 11, 1940 PATENT OFFICE POWER MOWER.

Amos F. Moyer, Minneapolis, Minn assignor to Toro Manufacturing Corporation oi Minnesota,- Minneapolis, Minn.. a corporation of Minneso Application 1......" a, loss. Serial No. 183,672

14 Claims.

This invention relates to power lawn mowers and has for its principal object the provision of a simple and emcient transmission which will readily permit reversal of the direction of travel of the mower without reversing the cutter. A further and more specific object of the invention is the provision of an improved arrangement facilitating adjustment of the chains of'chain driving means for the mower and propelling .1) wheels. These and other objects of the invention will become more readily apparent upon a detailed study of the accompanying drawings and specification, together with the appended claims.

The invention is especially adaptable to power 35 lawn mowers of the type commonly controlled by an operator who walks behind and guides the mower by the handles and who maneuvers the mower in reverse direction when required, by pulling it backward, even though power. means 21;? are provided in the mower for propelling it forward while driving the cutter. The invention is also applicable in mowing machines of larger sizes that might be provided for propelling in reverse.

In power lawn mowers of the above type. a friction clutch is commonly employed to engage or disengage the motor to or from'the transmission system, for starting or stopping. with the simpler transmission systems, but one clutch is employed, and power is transmitted therefrom both at relatively high speed to the cutter, and also at relatively low speed to the propelling wheels.

In mowing confined or partially obstructed 35 areas, the mower must be frequently stopped and pulled backward, which is permitted by releasing the clutch. Prior to this invention, the propelling wheels and cutters of power mowers provided with single clutches were so mission system whereby .the backward rolling of the mower was necessarily accompanied by a reverse motion of the cutter. Becausev of the relatively high speed of the cutter, and pressure ire quently present between the contacting edges of 45 the knives, the frictional resistance to rolling backward in such mowers is very great, and excessive muscular eflort required. Indeed, the motion is often so great that the propelling wheels become locked and will slip instead oi rolling 50 backward,- with consequent damage to the turf. In accordance with the present invention, a mower of this type is provided which has power transmitting means of such nature that no power is transmitted from the wheels to the cutter when 5 the mower is moved backwards and the rotation with power means connected by a trans-' of the wheels is reversed. In the mower herein shown and specifically described. the transmission is divided into two systems, one of which is continuously connected with the clutch and operates the propelling wheels, and the other of 6 which is driven bythe first and serves to operate the cutter. To secure the desired result, a ratchet device operative to drive the cutter forwardly but which permits reverse motion of the propelling system without operating the cutter, is placed in the cutter driving system. This permits the mower to be rolled backward with great ease while the friction clutch is released, independently of tightness between the cutter knives.

While any desired type of ratchet mechanism ll may be employed, it is a further object of this invention to provide an improved type of ratchet mechanism for this purpose. The particular type of ratchet contemplated by this invention and herein described is simple, emcient and durable, as well as positively operative without springs, and independently of gravity. It is also disengageable, so that the mower can be propelled forwardly without operating the cutter. When engaged, the mower is instantly free to roll 'backward without reversing the cutter, upon release of the friction clutch.'

In the drawings, which are merely illustrative of one embodiment of the invention,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a mower to which so the invention has been applied;

Figure 2 is a plan view-of the mower shown in Figure 1;

Figures is apartial sectional view along line 3-4) of Figure 1 and showing in longitudinal section the arrangement of the clutch together with the positive drive for the propelling wheels and the ratchet drive for the cutter:

Figure 4 is a cross-section along line 4-4 of Figure 3: v 0 Figure 5 is a sectional view along line 5-5 of Figure 3 Figure 6 is a fragmentary detail view showing a longitudinal section 01' the ratchet mechanism with the knob out of engagement;

-Figure 7 is a sectional view along line 1--1 of Figure 6 showing the sprocket for driving the propelling wheels;

Figure 8 is a side elevation of the sprocket shown in Figure 7 but with the sprocket rotated 90 from 50 the position shown in Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a cross-sectional 8-8 of Figure 6:

Figure 10 is a sectional viewalong line Iii-ll of Figure 6;

view along line Figure 12 is a fragmentary sectional view showing a modified form of ratchet mechanism; and

'vided with a rotatable grip 42. 'tion' of handle 30 has bolted thereto members Figure 13 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view showing the detent for holding the knob in adjusted position.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, numeral 2 designates generally a frame comprising a U-shaped member having a rear transverse portion 4 and side portions 6 and 8. At the front of the frame is a brace rod I0. A transverse supporting bar I2 is mounted on brackets I4 which are bolted to the side members 6 and 8. There are further provided spaced longitudinal supporting bars I6 and I8 each of which is bolted at one end to the rear transverse portion 4 of the U-shaped frame and to the transverse supportingbar I2. The frame further is provided with a longitudinal supporting bar '20 which is likewise bolted to the members 4 and I2 and which is formed with an are at its center portion in order to clear a wheel as shown in Figure l. The

frame is provided with propelling wheels 22 and 24, having inflated tires and are thus of the type generally known as air wheels!" These wheels are mounted on a shaft 26 which extends from one side to the other of. the frame. At one end the shaft is journaled in a bearing member generally designated at 28 which is bolted to ,the side member 6 of the frame and is further provided with an upwardly extending lug portion 30, as shown in Figures land 11. The other end of shaft 26 is journaled in a bearing member 32 which is bolted to the side frame member 8. At the front of the frame there are suitable caster wheels 34 and 36. A handle for the frame generally designated at 30 has a top cross piece 40 pro- The lower por- 44 and 46 which are pivoted to pins 48 and 50 that are welded to the frame members It and I8. The handle is used to steer the mower and may also be used for the purpose of pulling the mower backward manually as will hereinafter be pointed out more particularly.

Numeral 52 designates generally a cutting reel which is mounted between the side members 0 and 8 in the forward portion of the frame. The reel is mounted on a shaft 53 which is journaled in similar bearing and cutter bar supports 55 which are bolted to the forward portions of the side members 6 and 8. A motor is provided for driving the cutting reel 52 and also driving the propelling wheels.- gasoline engine 54 which is mounted upon and bolted to the longitudinal supporting bars I8 and I8 by means of bolts passing through the lugs 58. Numeral 58 designates a main bracket which carries both of the clutch shaft bearings and 62. The bracket is mounted on the supporting bars I8 and 20 by means of suitable bolts and is longitudinally adjustable on these bars by reason of the fact that the connecting bolts pass through longitudinal slots in the bars I8 and 20. As shown in Figure 4, the bracket is connected to supporting bar I8 by means of bolts 84 and 68 passing through longitudinal slots 68 and E0 in the bar I8. And as shownin Figure 5, the bracket 58 is connected to supporting bar 20 by means of a bolt 12 passing through the longitudinal slot 14.

Mounted in the clutch bearings 80 and 62 is clutch shaft 18 having an end portion of reduced diameter extending beyond bearing 80 to the right as viewed in Figure 3. Any desired type In this case there is shown a- 7 chainM connects the sprocket member 80 of the clutchwith the engine sprocket 86 which is keyed onto the engine crank shaft 88 whereby sprocket member 80 is in constant rotation while the englue is running. A clutch collar generally designated at 90 and operated by a pivoted clutch fork 92, is provided for engaging and disengage ing clutch member-82. This fork is operated by manipulation of the rotatable grip 42 of the handle through link 94, bellcrank lever 96. and link 88 which is connected to the free end of the fork 92, as clearly illustrated in Figure 2.

A propelling wheel drive sprocket I00 is keyed onto the shaft 18 on the right-hand side of hearing 60,'as viewed in- Figure 3, and is held against movement longitudinally of the shaft by virtue of abutment against the bearing 60 on one side and abutment against a spacing collar I02 on the other side, which in turn abuts against a sleeve I04 and retains ratchet sprocket member I06. The sleeve I04 is integral with a flanged collar I08 which is secured to the shaft against both rotatable and longitudinal movement by a pin IIO, thereby permitting rotation of sprocket member I06. It will be seen from the foregoing description that the bearing member 60 and the flanged collar I08 with sleeve I04 hold the propelling wheel driving procket I00, the spacing collar I02, and the -chet sprocket member I06 against longitudinal movement on shaft I6. The ratchet sprocket member I06 is provided with a plurality of circumferentially arranged passageways extending longitudinally of the shaft '16. In each passageway there is mounted a freely slidable pin I i2 having a length somewhat greater than the width of the ratchet sprocket member. As shown in Figures 3, 6, 7 and 8 the right-hand face of the propelling wheel drive sprocket I00 (as viewed in Figures 3 and 6) is provided with oppositely disposed cam members each generally designated at H4 and having a raised flat surface IIS which is parallel to the face of the sprocket, and inclined surfaces H8 and I20 leading away therefrom. These cam members II4 are located opposite the pin II2 of the ratchet sprocket member I06 for a purpose hereinafter to be described.

At the extreme right-hand end of the shaft 16 there is keyed thereto, but slidably mounted thereon, a slide member generally designated I22 and having a suitable gripping knob as shown. As shown more particularly in Figure 10, the lefthand face of this slide member (when viewed in Figure 3) has fixed thereto oppositely disposed] ratchet claw members generally designated at I24, each of which has an upper flat surface I26 in a vertical plane and an inclined surface I28 leading to the face I30 of the slide member which is likewise in a vertical plane, as here shown. The

moval of the slide member I22 in normal manipulation. The arrangement is such that the cam members I I4 on the propelling wheel driving between themembers I2. of theknob I22.

The sprocket I which is fixed to theshaft ll is connected to the propelling wheels'for driving the same. This connection is made by means of Y a'chain I" which am over sprocket Ill and I the large sprocket member of a step sprocket I38.

A- chain ill connects the small sprocket member of the step sprocket Ill with sprocket I42 which is secured to the shaft 2! for the propelling wheels 22 and 2!. As shown in Figures 1 and 11, the step sprocket I" is mounted on a swingable arm I which issecured to the upper portion ll of the bearing supporting member 28 by means of a bolt Ill. The swingable arm is provided with a substantially vertical slot III at its upper portion which receives a shaft member generally designated at I" having a threaded end I82, a shoulder I, a reduced portion I on which the step sprocket III is mounted and anoppositely threaded end receiving a nut III in a nut housing I". The nut I82 for the threaded end "2 bears against a washer I located between the face of swingable arm I and nut I82. when nut I02 is tightened it will beseen that shaft members I will be rigidly secured to the swingable arm I. The swingable arm is provided with an inintegral lug I" having a threaded passageway receiving an adjusting screw it! that bears .agalnst the washer I. By loosening screw I82 and adjusting screw I", the position of shaft member I" with respect to the slot I may be varied and when the desired position is obtained the shaft member may besecured in such position by a tightening of nut I62. 'lhe swlngable arm I is furtherformedisee Figure 1) with an integral lug or finger I1. having an adjusting screw I12 bearing against the top of the frame member 6. By loosening the nut for bolt I and manipulating'the adjusting screw I12, the angular ition of the swingable arm I may be admixed and when the desired adjustment has been obtained, the nut for bolt I may be again tightened to secure the arm in adjusted position.

By reason of the structure above described, the main clutch shaft supporting bracket 5| is adjustable longitudinally of the frame by loosening the nuts on the bolts and permitting the bolts to slide in the slots of the supporting bars. Ac-

cordingly, the engine drive chain It may be adjusted by'adjusting the main bracket SI. This adjustment will affect the chain It. and this chain should accordingly be slack when the engine driving chain is first adjusted. v'Iheslack in chain I" may now be taken up by rotating the swingable arm rearwardly about its pivot I by manipulating of the adjusting screw I12, bolt I being tightened to lock the arm whenit reaches adjusted position. The slack in the final drive chain I for the propelling wheels is then taken up by adjusting the screw it. and the position of shaft member I in the slot I. When proper adjustment has been made nut I62 is tightened to lock the shaft member. I in proper position. These adjustments constitute all necessary adjustments in the transmission system connecting the engine crank shaft to the propelling wheel.

The cutting reel is driven from the ratchet sprocket member I by means of a chain III. This chain is provided with an idler sprocket II which is adjustably mounted in a slot formed in the plate It for adjusting the tension in this chain. In order to adjust the slack in chain ill for the cutting [881,15116 position of idier sprocket I" is adjusted.

when the engine is operating and the clutchmember 02 is moved-to the right of the position shown in Figure 3, the clutch sprocket member ll merely rotates on shaft It and there is no driving connection to this shaft. But when the clutchparts are in the position shown in Figure 3, power from the engine crank shaft istrahsmitted to shaft IS and it rotates continuously. Inasmuch as the sprocket III for the propelling wheels is keyed onto the shaft 16, this likewise continuously rotates and power is continuously transmitted to the propelling wheels through the system of chains described above. with the result that the mower is propelled forwardly.

If the slide member I22 is in the inoperative position shown in Figure 6, i. e. away from ratchet sprocket member IIG, there is no connection with this member or its associated ratchet claw members I24 and the pins of ratchet sprocket member I It, and there is accordingly no dl'iV-r ing connection between shaft I6 and this member. In this position of the slide no power will be transmitted to'the cutting reel upon propulsion of the mower in either direction, either by means of the engine or by hand, and the mower may be convenlentlypropelled from place to place without operating the cutter. Any of the pins II2 that may have been to the left of the position shown in Figure 6 will be moved into the direction of the slide member and .illtO engage-- ment with the flange of'collar III by the cam members Ill, upon relative rotation of the sprocket Ill! and member I. The flange on the collar Ill limits the movement of the pins to the right as viewed ln Figures 3 and 6.

If it now be assumed that the operator wishes to have the cutter operate simultaneously with forward movement of the mower, the slide member I22 is adjusted by moving the same into its operative position shown in Figure 3 in which it is adjacent ratchet sprocket member Ili. When moved into this position, the members I2l on the slide member will push some of the plus I I2 into the spaces between the cam members Ill on the sprocket Ill. Each of the claw portions I32 of the members I2 will engage one of the remaining pins, and when the members of clutch Ill are closed and power is transmitted to shaft It, in

forward propelling direction, ratchet sprocket member I" and the knob I22 will rotate as a unit whereby power will be transmitted to the cutting reel.

The slide member I22 is selectively set and held in either its operative position adjacent to the ratchet sprocket member I06 in which the cam and claw members engage the pins H2, or in its inoperative position away from member I and its associated pins, by means of the spring pressed detent III which cooperates with either of the depressions "2 or I as evident from Figures 8 and 13. e

If it should become necessary for the operator to roll the mower backward while the slide member I22 is set in operative position adjacent ratchet sprocket member I", as shown in Figure 3, it is not necessary to adjust slide member I22 into the position shown in Figure 6, but it is only necessary to open the friction clutch It by means of the rotatable grip 42 on the handle and pull the mower backwards by means of the handle. This backward movement of the mower will of course result in reverse movement of the wheels will he.

lo tions 1-32 of members I24 will move away from the pins theywere engaging during forward motion and the bevel or cam surfaces I28 on the members I24 will push the pins which they engage into the spaces between the cam members 13 II4'of the sprocket I00. These pins will next be engaged by the cam members II4 which will push them back in the direction of the slide member into spaces between the claw and cam members I24. The result is a rapid reciprocation of 3 the pins II2 from one side to the other of the member I05 but no power is communicated to member I06. In fact, memebr I06 may still be 'rotating in forward direction due to the inertia of the cutting reel when the shaft I6 begins ro- 25 tating in reverse direction due to pulling the mower backward. When forward movement is resumed, the claws will each automatically engage one of the pins H2 and the cutting reel will'again be driven.

30 It will be apparent from the foregoing description that any desired number of pins II2 may be employed and also any desired number of ratchet claw members I24 may be employed but preferably the number of pins is a multiple of the number of members I24. As here shown, the

number of cam members I I4 is equal to the num- As here also shown, the

her of members I24. cam members II4 are mounted on the sprocket I for purposes of convenience but if desired 40 they may of .course be mounted on a separate member. Figure 12 shows a modified construction of the ratchet sprocket member and its associated. pins. In this case the pin passageways through the 45 member I06 are of reduced diameter on the side adjacent to the slide member I22. The pins I I2 operating in these passageways are formed with ends of reduced diameter which fit into the portions of reduced diameter of the passageways. This shape of the pins and passageways prevents the pins from exceeding movement in the direction of the slide beyond that illustrated in the upper portion of Figure 12, thereby obviating the necessity for use of the flange on the collar I00 to limit the movement of the pins. However, a colar I08 is secured to the shaft 16 by means'of a suitable pin to prevent sliding of-the member I06 longitudinally of the shaft. l, While the invention has herein been described M as applicable to a mower which is reversed manually, it is equally applicable to mowers arranged to be reversed under power from the mower, as

previously indicated. Having now described myinvention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is as follows:

1. A transmission for a power mower comprising a support, a propelling wheel therefor. g) a cutter connected to the support, wheel drive means for transmitting power to the propelling wheel, and cutter drive means connecting the.

wheel drive means and the cutter for simultanee ously operating the cutter from the wheel drive means, said cutter drive'means including means to interrupt the transmission of power from the propelling wheel to the cutter when said propelling wheel is moved in the reverse direction.

a cutter connected to the support, and power transmission means connected to the wheel and cutter for simultaneously transmitting power to I said wheel and cutter, said transmission means including means to interrupt the transmission of power from the propelling wheel to the cutter when the direction of travel of the propelling wheel is reversed.

3. A transmission for a power mower comprising a support, a propelling wheel therefor, a cutter connected to the support, a clutch, means for transmitting power to the clutch, wheel drive means for transmitting power from the clutch to the propelling wheel, and non-reversible cutter drive means connecting the wheel (Jive means and cutter for transmitting power from the wheel drivemeans to said cutter.

4. A transmission for a power mower comprising a support, a propelling wheel therefor, a cuttransmitting power to the clutch, a system connecting the clutch and the propelling wheel for shaft journaled in bearings supported on the frame, a clutch mounted on the shaft, a driving connection between the shaft and propelling wheel, and driving connection between said shaft and said cutter, said driving connection including a one-way drive clutch oriented to transmit power only when the shaft is rotated in the direction corresponding to forward movement. of the mower.

7. A transmission for a power mower comprising a frame, a propelling wheel therefor, a cutter connected to the frame, a shaft journaled in ter connected to the support, a clutch, means for g ter connected to the frame, a power driven clutchv bearings supported on the frame, a power driven clutch mounted on the shaft, a system of sprockets and chains forming a driving connec tion between the shaft and propelling wheel, and

a separate chain transmission system connecting said shaft and cutter, said separate system' including a one-way drive ratchet mechanism oriented in the system to transmit power therethrough only in the direction corresponding to forward motion of the mower.

8. A transmission system including a shaft, a ratchet member rotatably mounted on the shaft but held against longitudinal movement and ha ing a plurality of passageways therethrough longitudinally of the shaft, a pin in each of said passageways, a cam support spaced from said ratchet member and fixed on said shaft at one side of said member, a plurality of cam members carried by said support, a slide member keyed to the shaft against rotation with respect thereto on the opposite side of said ratchetmember and movable into and away from an operative carriedby said slide member having cam surfaces located opposite spaces between the aforesaidcamsmfacesontheaforesaidcammpporh ing member, each of said ratchet claws engaging one of the pins of said ratchet member and causing said bearing support, ratchet member and slide to rotate with the shaft as a unit when the slide is positioned adjacent the ratchet member and the shaft is rotating in one direction.

and the cams on said cam support andon said slide causing reciprocation ofsaid pins in said ratchet member without transmission of power to said member when the slide is positioned adjacent the same and the shaft is rotating in reverse direction, and said slide and its associated I ratchet claws being entirely free of said pins when the slide is positioned away from said ratchet mechanism, whereby no power is transmitted from the shaft to the ratchet member when the shaft is rotated in either direction while the slide is so positioned.

9. A transmission for a power mower comprising a frame, a propelling wheel therefor, a cutter mounted on the frame, a shaft journaled in bearings supported on the frame, a clutch mouted on the shaft and adapted to be connected to a source of power, a transmission system for transmitting power from. the shaft to the propelling wheel, a ratchet member rotatably mounted on the shaft but held against longitudinal movement and having a plurality of passageways running therethrough longitudinally of the shaft, a pin in each of said passageways, a cam support spaced from said ratchet member and fixed on said shaft at one side of said member, a plurality of cam members carried by said support, a slide memberkeyed to the shaft against rotation with respect thereto on the opposite side of said ratchet member and movable into and away from an operative position adjacent said member, ratchet claws carried by said slide member having cam surfaces opposite spaces between the aforesaid cam surfaces on the aforesaid cam supporting member, and a transmission system connecting said ratchet member and cutter, each of said ratchet claws engaging one of the pins of said ratchet member and causing said bearing support, ratchet member and slide to rotate with the shaft as a unit when the slide is positioned adjacent the ratchet member and the shaft is rotating in one direction, and the cams on said cam support "and on said slide member causing reciprocation of said pins in said ratchet member without transmission of power to said mem-- her when the slide is positioned adjacent the same and the shaft is rotating in reverse direction, and said slide and its associated ratchet claws being entirely freeof said pins when the slide is positioned away-from said ratchet member, whereby no power is transmitted from the shaft to the-ratchet member when the shaft is rotated in either direction whilethe slide is so positioned.

10. A transmission for a power mower'comp'rising a frame, a propelling wheel therefor, a cut-' ter mounted on the frame, a bracket mounted on said frame and adjustable longitudinally thereof, clutch shaft bearings carried by said bracket, a clutch shaft joumaled in said bearings, a clutch carried by said shaft, a drive sprocket, a chain connecting the same with said clutch, the slack in said chain being adjustable by a longitudinal adjustment of said bracket with respect to the frame, a sprocket fixed on said clutch shaft, a swingable arm pivotally mmmted on said frame, a step sprocket rotatably mounted on said swingable arm, a chain connecting the large member of said step sprocket with the fixed sprocket on the clutch shaft. means for rotatably adjusting said swingable farm to adjust the slack in the last said chain, a sprocket for the propelling wheel, a chain connecting said 'sprocket with the small member of the aforesaid step sprocket, means for adjusting the position of said step sprocket longitudinally with respect to said swingable arm to adjust the slack in said last mentioned chain, a second sprocket member carried by said clutch shaft, a chain connecting said 1 second sprocket member with said cutter, and

an idler sprocket adjustably mounted with respect to said frame for adjusting the slack in said last mentioned chain.-

IL A transmission for. a power mower comprising a frame, a propelling wheel therefor, a

cutter connected to the frame, a system of chains and sprockets mounted on the frame for conveying power to'the propelling wheel and cutter, and means for adjusting the position of said sprockets with respect to said frame thereby to adjust the slack in said chains.

12. A transmission for a power mower comprising a frame, a propelling wheel therefor, a cutter mounted on the frame, a bracket mounted on said frame and adjustable longitudinally thereof, clutch shaftbearings carried by said bracket, a clutch shaft journaled in said bear- ,ings, a clutch carried by said shaft, a drive sprocket, a chain connecting the same with said clutch, the slack in said chain being adjustable by a longitudinal adjiltment of said bracket with respect to said frame, a sprocket fixed on said clutch shaft, a swingable arm pivotally mounted on said frame, a step sprocket rotatably mounted on said swingable arm. a chain connecting the large member of said step sprocket with the fixed sprocket on the clutch shaft, means for rotatably adjusting said swingable arm to adjust the slack in the last said chain, a sprocket for the propelling wheel, a chain connecting said sprocket with the small member of the aforesaid step sprocket, means for adjusting the position of said step sprocket longitudinally with respect to said swingable arm to adjust the slack in said last mentioned chain, a ratchet sprocket member rotatably mounted on said clutch shaft but held against longitudinal movement and having a plurality of passageways running therethrough longitudinally of the shaft, a pin in each of said passageways, a' cam support spaced from said ratchet sprocket member, and fixed on said shaft at one side of. said member, a plurality of cam members carried by said support, a slide member keyed to the said clutch shaft against rotation with respect thereto on the opposite side of said ratchet sprocket member, and movable into and away from an operative position adjacent said member, ratchet claws carried by said slide member having cam surfaces opposite spaces between the aforesaid cam surfaces on the aforesaid cam supporting member, a chain connecting said ratchet sprocket member and said cover, and an idler sprocket adjustably supported by said frame for adjusting the slack in said last mentioned chain, each of said ratchet jaws engaging one of the pins of said ratchet member and causing said bearing support, ratchetsprocket member and slide to rotate with the shaft as a unit when the slide is in operative position adjacent the ratchet member and the shaft is-rotatlng in one direction, and the cams on said cam support and those on said slide member causing reciprocation of the pins in said ratchet sprocket member without transmission of power to said member when the slide is in operative position adjacent the same and the shaft is rotating in reverse direction, and said slide and its associated ratchet jaws being entirely free of said pins when the slide is in inoperative position away from said ratchet sprocket member, whereby no power is transmitted from the shaft to the ratchet member when the shaft is rotated in either direction while the slide is so positioned.

13. A transmission for a power mower comprising a support, a propelling wheel therefor, a cutter connected to the support, a clutch, means for transmitting power to the clutch, a system for transmitting power from the clutch to the propelling wheel, a second system for transmitting power from the first system to the cutter, said second system including a one-way drive clutch oriented in the system to transmit power only when applied in the direction corresponding to forward motion of the mower, and means for completely disengaging the driving connection of the second system.

14. A transmission for a power mower comprising a support, a propelling wheel therefor, a cutter connected to the support, a clutch. means for transmitting power to the clutch, a system for transmitting power from the clutch to the propelling wheel, a second system for transmitting power from the first system to the cutter, said second system including a one-way drive ratchet mechanism, oriented in the system so as to drive said cutter in thefcutting direction only. and means for releasing the ratchet to disable driving connection in both directions.

mos F. MOYER. 2o 

